As noted by others, if you want a battery that is a straight replacement for rechargeable AA cells then LSD (low self discharge) NimH will meet your need.

LSD cells have more, not less, lifetime cycles than standard cells. A first generation Sanyo Eneloop cell offers about 1000 cycles (compared to less than 500 for a standard NimH cell) and their new 2nd generation Eneloop cells offer 1500 cycles. And a 3 year shelf life to 70% capacity.

Eneloop home page

Eneloop information

• An extra of 500 charging cycles - instead of being rechargeable 1000 times, the new eneloop is even rechargeable up to 1500 times.

• Improved self-discharge. Even though the self discharge of the old eneloop was already very impressive, you can store the new eneloop for 3 years and still it will retain 75% of its capacity.

• You need a battery, which is reliable even when having cold temperatures? Before eneloop was suitable for temperatures as low as -10°C - now even until -20°C.

LSD capacity is about 2000 mAh compared to about 2600 mAh from the top reputable AA NimH standard cells. You can buy cells with higher claimed capacity than 2600 mAh, but not from reputable manufacturers.

A typical LSD AA cell has about 70% charge remaining after one year.

If you look at non AA cells you can get better performance. LiIon (Lithium Ion batteries) have extremely good shelf lives. The very large majority of the charge is retained after one year. You can buy AA size (14500) LiIon cells but these have 3V - 4V+ output and are not suited to direct drop in replacement.

I have personally been using GP (GoldPeak_ brand LSD NimH lately - sold under the ReCyko" label. Capacity from new is about 2000 mAh and they so far seem very well behaved. (I have no involvement with Gold Peak).

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Other chemistries have somewhat better shelf lives but are not available in a direct drop in replacement for AA cells. eg LiIon (Lithium Ion) AA cells = 14500 size are available. However, these have a 3V to 4+V voltage so are unsuited as direct consumer replacement.

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Available LSD cells -

Prolife from Fujicell

Ready2Use Accu from Varta

AccuEvolution from AccuPower

Hybrid, Platinum, and OPP Pre-Charged from Rayovac

eneloop from Sanyo

eniTime from Yuasa

Infinium from Panasonic

ReCyko from Gold Peak

Instant from Vapex

Hybrio from Uniross

Cycle Energy from Sony

MaxE and MaxE Plus from Ansmann

EnergyOn from NexCell

ActiveCharge/StayCharged/Pre-Charged/Accu from Duracell

Recharge from Energizer

Pre-Charged from Kodak

nx-ready from ENIX energies

Imedion from Maha

Pleomax E-Lock from Samsung

Centura from Tenergy

Ecomax from CDR King

R2G from Lenmar

LSD ready to use from Turnigy

Enesuper from BTY